Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, August 14, 2008

Jennifer Rankin and Priscilla Edwards forged a relationship as members of the track team at Wayland Baptist University that has carried over into the world of bodybuilding.

The two will compete at the Europa Super Show on Saturday at the convention center in Dallas.

It will be Rankin's second competition and Edwards' first.

As it turns out, there is an interesting story behind that fact.

As Rankin explained, the two were teammates on the Wayland track team from 2001-05 when they competed with and against each other.

Rankin now works as the fitness director at the Plainview YMCA while Edwards, who originally is from Barbados, works at Wayland as a research management analyst.

The two have remained friends since graduation, and when Edwards heard Rankin was going to participate in her first bodybuilding competition in Lubbock, she decided to attend and cheer on her friend.

Edwards was impressed with the competition and the strength of the participating women.

"I guess it was three days after (Rankin's) show, I came down here to her office and said, 'OK, I'm in.' I started April 1," Edwards said with a smile.

Since then, the two have strengthened their bond as friends and competitors.

"It's very important to have someone who knows what you're going through," Edwards said, adding that it is particularly helpful to have a friend with some experience who can help.

Rankin agreed.

"It's good to have someone you can relate to," she said.

While the two are able to share experiences and grow their friendship, perhaps the most important thing they do for each other is provide encouragement.

When asked what the most difficult part of the process is, both agreed it is the diet and cardio workouts.

Rankin pointed out that the women's diet has to be "completely clean." That means no sugar, no fat, no soy, no wheat and low carbs. The only thing that isn't preceded by the word "no" is protein intake.

A diet that restrictive can be tough, she said.

"Especially in this culture. You don't realize how much of your life revolves around food," she said, pointing out that birthdays, holidays, even going out with friends all present minefields.

"You can celebrate," she said, "but you have to find a different way to celebrate. We have to just stick with our chicken and eggs."

Edwards said the cardio workouts are challenging, especially when combined with a long day at the office.

The women do two 45-minute cardio workouts a day, which means getting up early in the morning to get one in before work.

Beyond that, Edwards said, workouts aren't that big of a deal.

"I can lift anything in the room," she said of her weight routine.

As the weekend approaches, the two believe they are ready. Both are used to competitive atmospheres and know how to handle their nerves.

Still, for Edwards there is some anxiety.

"I don't know if I'm nervous," she said as she prepares for her first time on stage, "(I'm) more anxious than anything else. Not nervous, but ready."

Rankin smiled as her friend spoke.

"At this point, there is no reason to be nervous because what else can you do?" she asked.

Edwards smiled, too.

"We're both champions because not everyone can do this," she concluded.